Lead R&D Engineer, Tritium-Breeding Blanket

WHO WE ARE Proxima Fusion is Europe’s fastest-growing fusion company and the continent’s best-funded fusion player, as well as the first spin-out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP). Backed by over €650M and powered by a growing team across Munich, Zurich, and Oxford, we are developing the hardware and infrastructure needed to deliver the world’s first commercial stellarator fusion power plant. Our concept advances the most mature fusion technology out there, the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, through two next-generation machines: Alpha and Stellaris. Our work combines stellarator optimization, advanced computation, machine learning, and high-temperature superconducting magnets to unlock higher-performance designs that were previously out of reach. Turning these designs into a functioning fusion power plant requires excellence and ownership across every discipline, from physics and engineering to software, manufacturing, law, and business functions. TEAM AND ROLE - Shape the architecture of the world’s first commercial fusion power plant – Own system-level decisions that determine how a first-of-a-kind energy technology is designed, integrated, and ultimately deployed at scale. - Solve some of the most complex engineering challenges in industry – Work across tightly coupled disciplines (plasma physics, magnets, cryogenics, manufacturing, controls, and more) to resolve critical trade-offs and turn cutting-edge science into a functioning product. - Build real hardware with a pragmatic, fast-moving team from all over the world – Combine advanced simulation and systems thinking with a strong execution mindset, focusing on practical engineering solutions that accelerate the path to commercial fusion energy. WHY JOIN PROXIMA FUSION - You will get to work on some of the most complex tech challenges to bring abundant, safe, clean energy to the world. - You'll get to join and learn from an exceptional selection of accomplished and driven individuals. - Do your life’s best work and enjoy the journey. - Get to show that big things are possible in Europe when you assemble the best talent. YOUR IMPACT As Lead R&D Engineer for the Stellaris tritium-breeding blanket, you will build and lead Proxima Fusion’s blanket development from initial concept to first prototype tests. You will translate a defined R&D budget into a small set of parallel breeder-blanket concepts, developed rapidly with external research and industrial partners. Remote maintainability is a fundamental part of the blanket architecture from day one. Each concept must be thought with the power plant architecture in mind and demonstrate how blanket modules can be installed, connected, inspected, replaced and recovered remotely. The objective is to leverage existing public research, challenge the most consequential assumptions, learn from hardware quickly and iterate to a functional blanket concept for our future commercial plant fleet. WHAT YOU WILL DO - Own the blanket design from initial requirements through conceptual design, prototype manufacture and testing, with accountability for budget, schedule and technical outcomes. - Own the integrated remote-maintenance architecture for each concept, including segmentation, access, handling, service connections, inspection, replacement and recovery from failed operations. - Own the compliance analysis across neutronics, thermal hydraulics, structural integrity, materials, tritium, decommissioning, safety and remote maintenance. - Own the rapid fail-fast prototype: select what to test and lead its design, procurement, manufacture, instrumentation, commissioning and test campaign on ambitious timelines. - Own the translation of test results into updated models, requirements, risk assessments and design decisions. - Own and build the multidisciplinary, technical design team. WHO YOU ARE - A Master’s degree or higher in mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, physics or equivalent experience. - Have led the development of complex nuclear, thermal, chemical or energy technology from conceptual design into hardware and testing, under budget and time constraints. - Able to lead multidisciplinary trade studies without converging prematurely on a preferred solution. - Strong knowledge in several relevant domains, such as thermal hydraulics, structural mechanics, neutronics, nuclear materials, tritium systems, high-temperature coolants, corrosion, manufacturing or remote handling. - Able to distinguish between analysis that enables a decision and analysis that merely adds detail. - Comfortable structuring and managing technical work with external institutes, industrial partners and specialist suppliers. - Willing to test critical assumptions early, learn from failure and stop weak development paths. - Able to make clear and defensible engineering decisions under uncertainty. - Experience with fusion blankets, fission-reactor components, breeder materials, tritium systems or remotely maintained nuclear equipment are an advantage, but are explicitly not necessary. INTERVIEW PROCESS - Recruiter Interview (30-60 min) - Technical Screening (30 min) - Technical Panel (3x60 min) At Proxima Fusion, our mission is bold: making limitless clean energy a reality. To get there, we need a high-performing, diverse team that brings different perspectives, challenges assumptions, and builds together with purpose. We know that diversity of thought and experience leads to better ideas, stronger execution, and a more resilient team. We don’t look at how you identify, what you look like, who you choose to worship or what ethnicity you are. We care about what you can bring to the table.